I don't live in Oregon anymore but this whole thing infuriates me. I have been to Armadillo before, in fact that's where I bought my Keen A51 sluice box. Is there a way to donate some money to stop these communist whackos? I think I will donate some to PLP.
Here is where were at, It's time for more letters and phone calls.
SB 838 could use some major emails, phone calls, or faxes TO THE FULL WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE. Miners NEED TO FIGHT this ban on suction dredging in Oregon waters or you might want to sell your equipment while it still has some value. If SB838 does pass in its original form, we will have the same ban California has and most likely the dredge ban will last for many years like it has in California. This maybe our last chance to stop SB838. SNOOZE YOU LOSE. Tom Q. "Government that governs best governs least" Thomas Jefferson
SB838-4 may have a hearing next week and the Green machine is writing letters like crazy. There are over 160 testimony's listed in the OLIS system for and against this bill. Miners better keep emailing their comments ASAP. If this motorized mining bill ban passes it will become enforceable immediately and suction dredging and high banking will be outlawed in Oregon. Last chance to comment.
THIS IS IT, ACTION ALERT! May I suggest that emails be sent in this weekend at your leisure and then follow up with a phone call on the week days of next week. Don't know what day the hearing will take place yet. Make your feelings known.
You guys may be going down as we here in CA. Not much you can do, unless it is physical. We tried everything here. Don't take the dredges out of the water. Make them force you out. That may be your only way to get publicity. We didn't fight in Ca. Just a lot of lip service. 4 years and counting. Good luck. I guess I won't be coming to your state to dredge and spend my money.
I have been watching the posts on these forums for a long time and I just don't see anyone really giving a crap, all I've read is how most people on here do nothing but *****.....Looks like you fit that biil very nicely. With that attitude I don't think anyone from Oregon WANT"S YOU HERE!!!! For the small % that really do care I hope they stand up for there rights and fight and not lay down and take it in the....Well you know what I mean don't you??
Hello to all, just wanted to say keep fighting the good fight! I live in Florida and want to visit the beautiful state of Oregon someday to prospect for gold. In support of your efforts I emailed the following to all Oregon senators and representitives.
Dear Senators and Representatives,
I am opposed to the 5 year moratorium on small-scale mining with suction dredge equipment on all waterways in Oregon that SB838 will impose on the mining community. The negative economic impact to the lively hood of individuals and communities would be felt across the state. To say that a study needs to be conducted on the affect of suction dredging during a moratorium on suction dredging is not logical. How can you conduct a study on an activity if the activity is banned? There have been numerous scientific studies conducted in Oregon and elsewhere that have concluded that the activity of small-scale mining with suction dredge equipment has less than significant impact on the environment. Listed below are a few of those scientific studies for your review. Please do not waste any more of our tax dollars to conduct studies that have already been done and please support the economic growth of our communities and individuals that depend on mining in Oregon.
I am also opposed to SB401 as it imposes a prohibition of all mining on all designated waters. In addition, the 1/4 mile setback on each side above high water mark would remove some private property rights and federal mining rights within those designated setback areas.
I implore you to review the scientific evidence available and vote against these bills.
Sincerely,
Pete Rosario (Concerned Citizen)
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT SUMMARIES
Bayley, 2003, (for Siskiyou National Forest, Oregon) Response of fish to cumulative effects of suction dredge and hydraulic mining in the Illinois subbasin. ” Cumulative suction dredge mining was found to be non-significant”
Results from the 2001 Siskiyou National Forest, Oregon Draft Environmental Impact Report, Suction Dredging Activities. “This form of mining had a less than significant effect on the environment”.
Results from the 2012 Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Oregon FINAL Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. “This form of mining had a less than significant effect on the environment”.
Results from the 1992 Chugach National Forest, Alaska Report of Water Quality Cumulative Effects of Placer Mining. “This form of mining had a less than significant effect on the environment”.
Results from the 1994 Department of Fish & Game, California Final Environmental Impact Report. “This form of mining had a less than significant effect on the environment”.
Result from the 1999 U.S. Environmental Protection Agencies funded Impact of Suction Dredging on Water Quality, Benthic Habitat, and Biota in Forty Mile River, Resurrection Creek, and the Chatanika River, Alaska Study. “This form of mining had a less than significant effect on the environment”.
Results from the 2004 Clearwater National Forest, Idaho Environmental Impact Supplemental Statement. “This form of mining had a less than significant effect on the environment”.
Results from the 2011 U.S. Environmental Protection Agencies Biological Evaluation Small Suction Dredge Placer Mining in Idaho. “This form of mining had a less than significant effect on the environment”.
Results from the 2012 Department of Fish & Game, California Subsequent Environmental Impact Report. “This form of mining had a less than significant effect on the environment”.
Thanks theseeker, great letter. It sounds like this is it so we need to keep the phone calls and letters coming....
So those who have been sitting on your hands waiting for someone else to save your sorry dredging rights may now be sitting on your camp chairs next to your favorite mining stream wondering why you lost your right to use your mining equipment in Oregon streams. Read Senator Boquist email to Jon Ball for more details below. Should be some good buys on mining equipment and mining claims real soon. Wonder what Dave New 49ers folks will be doing in Oregon since most all their claims in Oregon are on ESH streams. GPAA will lose another bunch of mining claims to use and Oregon will join California as another win for the GREEN MACHINE. So what are you folks that don't want to participate in the government process doing about it? SNOOZE YOU LOSE.
Hi all,
We just received word late today of a new set of amendments for SB 838. The -8 amendments were proposed by Dingfelder and Bates.
This version of the bill would place a moratorium on small-scale mining from 2016 to 2021. The amendments are not yet available on OLIS.
We believe that this version of the bill will be pushed through committee soon. I just received this notice from Senator Boquist. It's not good. The new SB 838 Amendments pretty much ban all placer mining!
It's time to get angry folks. Your Federal Right to conduct Mining in Oregon is about to be taken from you by a few who have never had to dig a ditch, or lift a shovel in their lives!
It's time to flood the communications lines... See the list below and send them Emails, Phone calls, Text Messages.
You can also use Local Classified Ads, Call your Newspaper, Contact your City Mayor's Office who's Tax Base will be impacted... Social Media Sites (Facebook, Mining Sites, Government Websites, Etc.)... ... and don't forget to contact the almighty Governor himself!!! Get your voices Heard. We need to do this NOW.
Help spread the word tonight!
Believe Senator Dingfelder, Senator Bates and Representative Unger have amendments to SB 838 that would place a moratorium on all mining with in 100 yards of any fish bearing stream that could have eggs or spawning … meaning any ESH stream. Yes, a moratorium 300 feet both sides of the streams and rivers.
Would be a ban under 2021 wiping you folks out.
Streams and water without ESH spawning areas etc would be restricted to 850 total permits at $150 each. Supposedly the fee would be used to study the effects of small scale mining. Bottom line is would wipe out all small scale mining as study would never be done.
The miners need to be contacting every legislator they can but emphasis on Senator Courtney, Senator Rosenbaum, Senator Roblan, Senator Devlin, Senator Bates, Representative Koteck, Representative Hoyle, and Representative Buckley.
The bill will move out of Joint Ways & Means any day this week or next by Friday.
Obviously you guys didn't pay attention to what happened in CA. Now they are trying to close loopholes like using the booming method. Wake up people!!!.
ALERT****** SB838 has been passed from Ways and Means Natural Resources Committee to the full Ways and Means Committee today. This could come up Wednesday or Friday in the Full Ways and Means.
Time to Occupy their phone lines!!!!!
Let's keep them listening to what we think of them pushing this anti job, anti-mining bill and spending money us tax payers know is wasteful and putting in law that In-stream small scale mining is harmful. We know the science doe not support this position. This is a big sham!!!!!
Time to let them know that they work for the citizens not the governor who seems to be the one pushing this bill now. If you are a constituent of one of the committee members listed below tell them you are and will not be voting for them next election.
Wow! I've subscribed to the OLIS updates, have been keeping an eye on them as they come to my email, and have not seen any of this. I'm beside myself, and will pass this on.
Sorry, Fullpan, no insights. I've been monitoring committee agendas daily and saw SB838-4 on today's agenda, meeting at 1:00.
One thing I see is that our miners are out of cell range working their claims right now so this is a prime time for the Dems to move the bill closer to a vote.